You will need to submit a sample of your creative work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting creative work .
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.
Apply for this course
Our practical and theoretical modules will develop your creative, technical, critical and teamworking skills. You’ll build on your understanding of filmmaking and television production, and learn the director’s role in visual storytelling for fact and fiction. We’ll also teach you about the industry and cover the business aspects of film and TV production.
You'll take on projects, conceptualise, develop, and shoot them as part of a group, an essential experience for industry, advancing your skills in project management and collaboration. You'll be able to follow your interests with an individual project over the summer and the vacation period, worth a third of your total degree credits.
Our masterclasses will bring industry professionals to you, giving you further insights into commercial film and television production.
You'll study taught modules in the first part of the year. You’ll then go on to make a short dramatic or documentary film and write a reflective essay and technical report.
You’ll develop the key skills typically used by directors working on the studio floor or on location - including blocking camera positions, directing actors, managing the set, and collaborating with crew members. You'll learn about script development, from pitching and script drafting, though narrative structure and character development, to visualisation tools such as storyboards and concept art. You'll also learn more about the business of television and film production, and will plan projects, manage resources, and solve problems.
You will also study one option module each semester.
Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
The course culminates in the design and development of individual piece of work and accompanying report. It's the most important and also the most challenging part of the course.
Individual Project
You may choose from two different types of individual project:
1) A production project that involves creating a short film or pilot television episode – either fiction or nonfiction – along with a written 7,000-8,000 word production report describing your approach to making the project in your role as a director. You can work either individually or collaboratively with other students on this type of project.
2) An individual research project focusing on a specific area related directly to your chosen specialism. This could take the form of a traditional written dissertation of 8,000 words or a hybrid involving the creation of some sort of artefact such as video, audio or written elements based on your research, along with a 7,000 word written dissertation describing the project.
In all cases, the precise nature of the project undertaken, including the involvement of any group members or other collaborators, will be agreed with your academic supervisor prior to the start of the project.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
The course involves a range of different teaching styles. Most modules will include lectures to give you a fundamental understanding of the subject and then lead on to practical work. The practical work will primarily involve workshops where you can become familiar with industry techniques and equipment. You may also attend film screenings.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend events such as talks, productions and festivals outside of your modules.
You'll be assigned a member of our teaching staff who will act as your personal supervisor for the duration of the course. They are there to give advice on academic matters as well as other areas of University life.
The equipment and facilities available are the highest quality found in professional film and programme making.
You'll have access to ARRI, RED and Sony digital cinema cameras with Angenieux, Zeiss, RED, Sony, Sigma and Samyang lenses, industry-standard lighting, grips and sound production kit, dedicated picture finishing and audio postproduction suites (including Foley and ADR) that have been used on many commercial projects, as well as fully equipped sound stages (including green screen), TV studios, rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, a props store and workshop.
You'll also have 24/7 access to a postproduction suite exclusively for postgraduates.